About

Most people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them that, despite my degree in medicine, I work at a university. I’m quick to assure them that I practiced medicine for three years before I abandoned my stethoscope in favor of academia, but I still get expressions of disbelief.
The truth is, my calling isn’t in the examination room. While I loved helping people, I still get to do it—albeit in a different way. Instead of diagnosing diseases, I help students find their ideal career paths, then assist them in reaching their goals. Since I teach biomedical science, I’m working with students whose goals are well aligned with mine. Furthermore, I understand their concerns and goals because, at one time, they were mine as well. I can connect with my students around our shared love of medicine.
I’m a teacher, a doctor, and a guide. Although I love working with students one-on-one and in classrooms, I realized that I can help a much broader audience on the Internet. This website is dedicated to careers in medicine, from doctors and nurses to veterinarians and pharmacists. If you are interested in this fascinating and rewarding career path, I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for inside these pages.

Choosing a Career in Medicine

Posted by Tracy Holbrooke on 5:54 am in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Five Tips For Staying Out Of The Emergency Room During (And Right After) Thanksgiving

For most people, the worst they’ll have to deal with this Thanksgiving is a bad case of indigestion after one too many helpings of pumpkin pie. While Thanksgiving dangers to your waistline are nothing unexpected, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind if you want to avoid ending up spending the holiday in the emergency room instead of at home. 1.) Keep in mind that overindulgence can be deadly if you’re diabetic. It’s easy to overindulge on holiday goodies, but if you’re diabetic, the results can be disastrous. You need to make sure that if you decide to sneak an extra sliver of pie that you adjust your medication accordingly. Otherwise, you can end up suffering from either an extreme spike or drop in your blood sugar levels when you’re least expecting it. If you’re traveling to someone else’s house for dinner, make sure to take your meter and your insulin with you, just in case. 2.) Remember that carving up the turkey can be hazardous to your health. Most people only bring out the electric carver or the big carving knives a couple times of year at most—which means that they can end up fumbling through the process of cutting that big bird and hurt themselves instead. If you aren’t proficient with a knife, pass the carving tools to someone that’s more comfortable using them. 3.) Know that bacterial infections are a Thanksgiving gift that keeps on giving. Most of the people suffering from bacterial infections end up in the ER in the days immediately following Thanksgiving, though it isn’t unheard of on Thanksgiving itself, depending on whether or not your great Aunt knew how to properly prepare the stuffing to avoid salmonella. If food isn’t prepared correctly or stored properly, symptoms of food poisoning like diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a fever can hit within 8-72 hours. Listeria is another bacterial infection that can be a danger during the holidays, especially if raw vegetables aren’t washed before they’re put on a tray for nibbling or unpasteurized milk is served. Anybody with a poor immune system and pregnant women, in particular, should be on the watch for this particular problem—it generally presents itself with flu-like symptoms, like a fever, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. The chief danger, however, is that it can also enter the nervous system, causing much more severe problems, or affect an unborn child. 4.) Don’t forget, you’re no longer 20 and you’re not a football star. Unless you really are 20 and a football star, try to remember that indulging in a friendly game of football with the family can be hazardous to your health if you’re sedentary most of the time. The temporary excitement of horsing around with your siblings or cousins can cause you to throw caution to the wind and end up with torn ligaments, lumbar sprains, and herniated discs very easily. Ankle sprains and broken toes are also a common problem. If you want to engage in a little family fun, consider loading up on Nerf guns and ammo and passing them out to anybody who wants to participate. Alternately, try to get everyone to agree to tag football only so that nobody ends up getting hurt in a tackle. 5.) Remember that alcohol and medication don’t mix....

If you are a parent and you want your children to get the highest standard possible of medical care, you will need to take it upon yourself to do routine pediatric visits. By taking great care of your child’s medical care, they will have access to proper diagnoses, high quality medications, and up to date technology that will allow your child to grow and thrive in a way that keeps them healthy and safe. With this in mind, read on and use these tips below to make sure that your child receives the pediatric care that they need and deserve. Find The Best Pediatrician In Your Area When it comes to getting the help that you need for your child’s medical care, you owe it to yourself to find the greatest pediatrician you can find. This is important for your child’s health and comfort during the visit, since these physicians are especially trained to deal with kids. Begin setting up visits so that you can meet with a pediatrician in person, one-on-one. Ask about their patient load and appointment policies to be sure that they have room for your child. You should also be sure that they are Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) certified to ensure that your child is receiving the best service possible. Get Your Budget And Medical Care In Order To make sure that your child is able to receive the care that they need, you’ll need to get your medical insurance plan in order. Talk to your health insurance provider to be sure that your doctor accepts the plan and that you are insured enough to cover all visits. If you end up paying out of pocket, you might expect to pay close to $700 in routine doctor visits for a baby’s first year of life, in addition to $620 for their shots. Make Sure That Your Child Is Ready For The Visit Above all, you need to be sure that your child is ready for any doctor visit. If they are toddlers or older, a great way to help acclimate themselves with a visit is to incorporate play scenarios involving going to the doctor. This way, your child will wrap their mind around what a visit will entail and will grow to enjoy it and look forward to it. You can also take your child to meet their pediatrician ahead of time in an informal setting, so that they can calm any nerves they might have. Keep these tips in mind so that your child’s health care remains a priority. For more information, contact local professionals like Alpert Zales & Castro Pediatric...

Women who take birth control know that there are so many options available to them. Among these options are Seasonique and Seasonale. In spite of the similar names, these pills actually offer a variety of differences. If you are not sure which choice is right for you, consider these differences: Seasonique Seasonique is considered an extended-cycle birth control pill because it allows women to skip periods. Rather than have a period each month, women can have just four in an entire year. Seasonique is newer than Seasonale, and is considered 99% effective when taken effectively to prevent pregnancy. Additionally, the pills women take during their period will still include a low dose of estrogen. This is beneficial for many women because it lowers the possibility of breakthrough bleeding and shortens periods to four days or fewer. Women who tend to experience painful periods may turn to Seasonique for this reason. Additionally, Seasonique is thought to provide superior protection when compared to Seasonale. This may be a result of the extra estrogen offered by Seasonique; however, both are considered relatively effective. Overall, Seasonique is preferred by women who struggle with heavy periods. Seasonale Like Seasonique, Seasonale is an extended-cycle pill. One of the biggest differences is that Seasonale includes inactive pills for those times during which a woman will have her period. Women often experience spotting between periods of irregular bleeding on Seasonale. This tends to decrease the longer a woman is taking the medication. Additionally, a period for a woman on Seasonale may last as long as seven days. Seasonale is often prescribed for women who have painful periods, as this pill offers less estrogen. This means that women who take it may experience less bloating and cramping during the inactive period. On the other hand, it is also a good choice for women with light periods who have no trouble handling up to seven days of bleeding. Of course, it is possible that neither pill is for you. There are actually plenty of different oral contraceptives to consider. It is smart to talk to your doctor about the best choice for you, as birth control pills may also come with side effects such as blood clots and stroke. Some women also report loss of libido as a side effect to some contraceptive pills, but each body responds differently to different regimens. For more information, talk to your doctor and check...

Posted by Tracy Holbrooke on 8:55 am in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Sinus Infections In Adults: How Do You Ease Your Symptoms Right Away?

If your ears hurt constantly, and you have intense pressure around your eyes and temples, you may want to know how you can solve your problems without waiting days to see your primary care doctor. The symptoms you have may indicate that you have a sinus infection. Sinus infections can become worse without immediate and proper treatment. Here’s more things to know about sinus infections and what you can do to treat yours right away. What Is a Sinus Infection? Sinus infections can be troublesome for many adults. The infections often produce symptoms that seem similar to the common cold. But unlike the common cold, the symptoms of sinus infections can linger for weeks instead of days. Your ear pain and facial pressure are classic symptoms of a sinus infection. The sinus cavities in your face are usually hollow. But fluid can build up inside the sinuses when you catch a cold, develop a bacterial infection, or get water in your ears. The buildup creates intense pressure around your eyes, behind your nose and in your forehead. The fluid may leak into the tubes that lead to your ears and cause additional discomfort. Your earaches may seem worse when you lie down or press the side of your head against your pillow. There are things you can do right now to ease your discomfort. How Do You Treat Your Possible Sinus Infection Right Away? If you don’t want to wait days to see your primary doctor for care, you can seek urgent care treatment. Urgent care centers usually see patients the same or next day without an appointment. Some centers stay open late into the evening and on the weekends. The hours of operation may vary from center to center, so it’s a good idea that you contact the nearest care provider near you for more information. Until you seek urgent care treatment, you can try these things to feel better: Place a warm towel on your face for 5 to 10 minutes to help relieve some of the pressure and inflammation. You can adjust the time to fit your comfort level. Massage your temples with warm olive oil or vitamin E oil for 3 to 5 minutes. The massage can help drain the fluid from your sinuses and ear tubes. Again, the time may vary for this step, so use your best judgment. Place a cool compress or cold towel on your ears for the recommended time of 20 minutes. The cool temperatures can help ease the pain in your ears and allow the fluid to drain out of them. You should only use the three tips above as temporary measures. Visit an urgent care center as soon as you can for further assistance. If the symptoms become worse, even after trying the tips above, contact an urgent care doctor right...

You may dread the visit to have a pelvic exam. The good news is that your trip to have your pelvis examined might be entirely unnecessary. Some experts believe an annual pelvic exam is excessive, some believe it is not necessary at all and some believe that it might even be harmful. Healthy Women Many Not Need The Exam Not having a pelvic exam only applies to women who are healthy and who are not pregnant. Women who visit their doctors with complaints of pelvis pain should still have their pelvises examined as usual. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports regular pelvis exams. However, the American College of Physicians disagrees and has created new guidelines for doctors. While healthy women many not need to receive a pelvis exam every three years, they should still undergo a pap smear every three years. There Are Other Benefits To The Exam Those who argue that pelvis exams are still necessary often admit that the pelvis exam is not as useful for screening for ovarian cancer, but is useful when determining if the uterus is about to prolapse. This is when the muscles holding the uterus in place have weakened and are causing the uterus to slip down toward the vagina, which is a problem women who have recently given birth sometimes experience. A pelvic exam can assist a doctor in more quickly determining if a woman is suffering from endometriosis. Women who are experiencing pain during intercourse will often by checked for this through a pelvic exam. Also, a pelvis exam may make sense at least once for a young woman because the exam is used as an opportunity to teach the woman about her body. Consult With Your Doctor Given that there are some benefits to the pelvis exam and given that there are still some disagreements regarding how useful they are, it is best that you still have regular pelvis exams until more information becomes available. The greatest risk of having a pelvis exam is that your doctor may believe that you need a surgery that is actually unnecessary, but by being cautious about any treatments you receive and by always seeking a second opinion when surgery is brought up, you can mitigate these risks. Talk to your doctor, one like Women First OBGYN, about your concerns regarding the pelvis exam and he or she will be able to give you a more personalized opinion on whether this exam is right for...

Posted by Tracy Holbrooke on 6:48 am in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Your Cup Overfloweth: 3 Things You Should Know Before Getting A Breast Enhancement

You’ve heard well-endowed women complain over and over again about how large their breasts are and what a hassle they make everyday life – but if you’ve always been on the petite side when it comes to your cup size, you know that the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the flatter side. A breast enhancement is a surefire way to change the shape and size of your chest without radical diet changes or artificial bra padding and is a common procedure; in 2015 alone, almost 300,000 breast enhancements were performed. So if you’re looking into bumping up your bust size, then here are a few things you should know before going under the knife. Insurance Probably Won’t Cover It As with most elective surgeries, your insurance is probably not going to pay for your breast enhancement (with the possible exception of getting your cup size boosted as a part of breast reconstruction surgery if you’ve had a disfiguring accident or had to have breast tissue removed due to cancer, for example). Knowing that you’ll have to pay out of pocket, consider if your budget will allow for a $3,700 (on average) procedure. Budgeting and saving up for a breast enhancement may take a while, so you’ll want to be sure you have as much time as you need. It’ll Change Everything Believe it or not, your breast size informs your posture, shape, and even the muscles that you’ll use the most. For the first couple weeks after you get a breast enhancement, you’ll feel the difference in the way you walk, sit, stand, and even lie down (yes, larger boobs can be a little more uncomfortable to lie on as opposed to smaller ones). To simulate this, pad up your bra to the size that you’ll want your new chest to be and perform your everyday duties; you may find that the size you think would be optimal may get in the way or look disproportionately large underneath your clothes. This is a good way to help you find out if you’ll want to go down an inch or so on your estimate. It’s Up to You Beyond all societal pressure – both to increase your bust size and to avoid plastic surgery like the plague – the choice on whether or not to get a breast enhancement is entirely up to you. If you’re tired of not filling out the shirts you want to wear or want to feel a little more curvy than you do right now, a breast enhancement is a good way to fix those complaints. If your reasoning behind your choice is the pushing of your friends, family, or loved ones or the general trend in society to prioritize large breasts over small ones, take a step back before going under the knife. This is a choice you’re going to have to live with, so make sure you’re making it for you, rather than to appease others. For more information, contact local professionals like Dalton Surgical...

If you wear dentures, then you probably remember the great lengths your dentist took to precisely measure the dimensions of your mouth so that your appliances would fit properly. From the dental X-rays to the impressions that were taken of your mouth, your dental professional wanted to make sure that your dentures fit comfortably and that they didn’t slip, shift, or hurt while you were wearing them. Despite your dentist’s best efforts, dentures can eventually become either too big or too small for your mouth. Here are three reasons why your dentures might not fit anymore and what you can do about it: Declining Estrogen Levels When your estrogen levels decline, as they do during your menopausal years, you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis. This degenerative disease can lead to the deterioration of your bones, causing brittleness and a heightened risk for fractures. Estrogen helps your bones stay strong, and when circulating estrogen stores get low, not only might osteoporosis develop in your spine, but also in your jaw bones. If this occurs, your dentures be too loose as a result of bone loss in your jaw. While oral osteoporosis medications typically cannot reverse existing bone damage caused by degenerative bone disease, they may help slow the progression of future disease. Weight Changes Weight gain or weight loss can also lead to ill-fitting dentures. If you gain weight, your dentures may feel too snug, and weight loss may cause them to slip out of position. When your dentures do not fit properly, you may develop friction sores or blisters in your mouth, which, if not recognized and treated, may cause an oral infection. Friction sores can also destroy the gum tissue, and cause significant pain in your mouth whenever you attempt to wear your dentures. If you gain or lose weight, tell your dentist. You may need to have the size of your dentures altered, and in some cases, your dentist may need to take new measurements and impressions of your mouth so that a new set of dentures can be made. Periodontitis If you develop gum disease, or gingivitis, it is important that you visit your dental professional for treatment. While conservative methods of treatment such as meticulously brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis can help reverse mild gingivitis, it may not eliminate moderate to severe gum disease. If gingivitis is allowed to progress, you may be at risk for developing a severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. This condition can lead to bone destruction in your mouth, and if this happens, your dentures may no longer fit. If your dentist determines that you have periodontitis, you might be referred to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease. If you notice that your dentures are too tight or if they slip out of place when you eat or speak, see your dentist. While most causes of poorly fitting dentures are obvious, your dentist will need to examine your mouth for signs of pathological causes such as abnormal growths, infections, or even soft tissue damage. Contact a clinic like Bristol Dental Group for more...

Despite publicity over the years, people are still dealing with neck, back, and shoulder pain due to carrying heavy bags and purses. It really is best to reduce what you carry so that your bag isn’t a concern, but with today’s on-the-go work ethic and lifestyle, everyone’s carrying around a mini office in their bags. However, there are other steps you can take to minimize problems if you think you’re developing back or neck pain due to what you’re carrying around. The Wider (the Strap), the Better Thin straps on heavy bags can cut into your skin. Even if they don’t break the skin, they can cause bruises and add to the sensation that something is not right with your back and neck as the weight of the bag drags down on them. Wider straps are better at preventing this phenomenon; while you can still suffer from muscular strain from the weight of the bag, the risk of bruising and skin irritation is lessened, and the strain on the nerves in your shoulder is lessened. Distributing Weight If you can, in addition to using a bag with a wide strap, use one that allows you to balance the weight or distribute it better. Backpacks can work, though if the weight of the bag remains too heavy, that can still place stress on your back and neck as you try to stand up straight. A cross-body bag, like a messenger bag, is a great option because having the strap rest on one side of your body while the weight of the bag is on the other helps distribute the weight of the bag more evenly among your back and shoulder muscles. Alternately, you can switch which shoulder holds the bag on a regular basis, like switching every Monday. That will at least give each side of your body a break from the weight of the bag. Rolling With It (Properly) Switching to a rolling case is even better — all that weight is off your back, shoulders, and neck — but you have to use the case correctly to get the most benefit. Many people drag these cases behind them, creating stress for the shoulder of the arm they’re using. Be sure to pull the case alongside you so that your arm is not twisted back. A doctor or chiropractor like Beltline Chiropractic can help you find the right posture and right bag type so that your neck and back aren’t aggravated by what you carry. It might seem only mildly annoying now, but if you don’t take steps to protect yourself, that annoying pain could become severe...

If you currently have a prescription for eyeglasses, you may never have considered the option of contact lenses. However, there are quite a few reasons as to why contact lenses may be more appropriate for your lifestyle compared to eyeglasses. Here are three reasons why you should consider contacts instead: You Lead an Active Lifestyle: If you play sports, are a runner, or are just active in general, then contact lenses are probably the better choice for you. This is because eyeglasses, while easy to wear, also easily fall off. While participating in any active activities, you may find that your eyeglasses break or the lenses smudge easily. Eyeglasses are not cheap to replace either, so if you find that your glasses break often, you are probably going to save more money by investing in contact lenses instead. On top of this, contact lenses won’t interfere with whatever it is that you are doing. You won’t have to stop to push them back onto your face or to clean the lenses. You Want to Change the Color of Your Eyes: Contact lenses also allow you to have more variety. You can choose contact lenses that will change the color of your eyes, which many people find highly desirable. You can choose a more vibrant color that can make your eyes stand out. You can even use contact lenses that look like cat eyes, which is perfect for someone who wants to stand apart from the crowd. Don’t worry, though, these contact lenses won’t interfere with your ability to see clearly. You Will Have a Better Field of Vision: When you wear eyeglasses, your vision can be slightly distorted because of the openings on the side. On top of this, the frames can be distracting you from getting a clear view on something. This may distract you most if you are in a line of work that requires you to closely study objects or if you are a student and need to focus while taking tests or writing down notes the teacher is writing on the board. With contact lenses, nothing will interfere in this way with your field of vision. When you know these three reasons to consider contact lenses, you can see whether or not it is the right choice for you based on your lifestyle. If so, then talk to eye doctors who can prescribe you the right type of contact lenses for your...

Whether you are in private practice or work for an organization, proactively marketing your therapy services is critical to your success. With savvy marketing, you can ensure a full roster of clients and even get to a point where you are able to increase your rates. Here are four psychology marketing tips to try out: Build a Website for Your Practice These days, a working website is a necessity for any psychologist. Potential clients who hear about your services will most likely check out your website before scheduling an appointment to see if you seem like a good fit. In addition, if you regularly post relevant content to your site in the form of a blog, your search engine results will improve and more clients will find you. Check out colleagues’ websites to see what you like and don’t like, but generally, you should include: Contact information Services and rates A personable “About Me” section A blog that you update regularly Social media buttons that link to your professional Facebook, Twitter, etc. Book Regular Public Speaking Gigs Public speaking gigs improve your visibility and perceived expertise in your community. Don’t aim to get paid the big bucks for public speaking at first, instead offering to give free talks to relevant groups such as veteran’s organizations if you work with military clients or local parenting groups if your clients are children. Eventually, as you build a reputation for public speaking, you may be invited to more lucrative speaking opportunities which can boost your income as well as lead to new clients. Network with Other Psychology Professionals Instead of seeing fellow psychologists as competition for business, see them as colleagues and resources. By networking through local professional organizations and LinkedIn, you may hear about great psychology jobs you wouldn’t otherwise know about and even receive referrals to clients if someone has overflow work or their practice is in a different niche than yours. Just be sure to proactively reciprocate and support those you network with as well to keep the good will flowing in your direction. Add Yourself to Directories Think about where prospective clients may be searching online for a psychologist, and make sure you are added to each of these directories. Psychology Today’s therapist directory, the APA’s psychologist locator, and the provider directory for any insurance company you accept at your practice are great places to start. By following these marketing tips, your therapy business will soon see a boost in clients and you will no longer have to worry about gaps in your schedule. For psychology jobs, contact a company such as The Genen...